Beef Plan willing to meet if protests remain during talks

The chairman of the Beef Plan Movement’s western region, Eoin Donnelly, has said: “The precondition that protests must be called off to allow talks to happen is not something that we’re prepared to accept.”

Continuing, Donnelly said that the invitations from the minister have been “all informal”.

He said that “no official documentation has been shared”, and added that “there’s nothing with an official seal on it from the Department of Agriculture”.

Commenting on the minister’s proposal, Donnelly said: “The Beef Plan’s position is we are disappointed that Minister Creed has adopted the same position as Meat Industry Ireland (MII) in the precondition that protests must be called off to allow talks.

“From the outset, we have said we are available to talk but we have asked for a proposal from MII and none has been forthcoming.”